LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. — The paradox is striking. The view from Matt Holliday’s oceanside rental reflects serenity even as his career is clouded in uncertainty. The Rockies are aggressively exploring trading the three-time all-star this fall or winter after failing to sign him to a long-term contract last spring.

In an exclusive interview with The Denver Post, Holliday admitted the organization’s commitment to winning was a factor in turning down the four-year, $72 million extension with a $12 million option, a decision that increases the likelihood he will be dealt this offseason as the club tries to acquire starting pitching.

“I specifically don’t want to spend my career collecting paychecks and having October off. I want to be in a situation where I feel like I can make the postseason every year, not only if the perfect storm comes together,” Holliday said.

“I am not saying Colorado can’t do that. But approaching free agency and making decisions about being somewhere long term, you have to consider more than money. The money gets to the point, it’s a lot either way.”

As a free agent, Holliday would be in line for a $150 million contract given his past production. There have been no negotiations with the Rockies since last spring — the team also balked at a no-trade clause, wanting an opt-out option instead — and his relationship with the club has changed dramatically.

His brief contract talks were labeled a distraction by ownership, and cited as a contributing factor in the team’s disappointing 74-88 season following the 2007 World Series berth.

“Hardly anyone even knew about it (among players),” Holliday said. “I think if it was that big of a problem, don’t you think somebody would have sniffed it out? I made a decision, and it was agreed not to make it public. Both sides agreed to that, and that was the end of that.”

Holliday decided to work out in California this winter after the Rockies fired strength coach Brad Andress. Holliday bristled at the inference that it means he wants out of Colorado.

“That’s ridiculous. I am under contract there and doing everything I can to get better,” Holliday said. “Now they have to decide what they want to do.”

General manager Dan O’Dowd reiterated Tuesday the Rockies are a midmarket team that must develop young talent to win consistently. That means proven commodities such as Holliday and Garrett Atkins become available in a trade as their price increases.

“I understand that these are difficult decisions in the sense that you fall in love with the players you have,” O’Dowd said. “Matt has turned into a superstar, and Garrett is a productive player. But they wouldn’t be in positions they are in unless the organization committed an opportunity to them. You can make judgments about how good the players we have are going to be. We aren’t going to know until they are given a chance if any moves create that. We are not afraid to play our own kids.”

Holliday, in terrific shape, is working out three hours a day, strengthening his core to avoid “ever missing another game due to a stiff back or a hamstring.” While improving his baserunning and defense, Holliday hit .325 with 25 home runs and 88 RBIs last season.

“I feel like part of the reason we struggled is that I didn’t perform like I had the previous two years,” Holliday said.

His focus is on the future.

“There are going to be people that say negative things about me and people that say positive things. But if you live life on that roller coaster of what other people think, you will be miserable. I have to make decisions for me and my family,” Holliday said.

Troy is a former Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies beat writer for The Denver Post. He joined the news organization in 2002 as the Rockies' beat writer and became a Broncos beat writer in 2014 before assuming the lead role ahead of the 2015 season. He left The Post in 2015.

WASHINGTON — Thirty games into the 82-game NHL season, and nearly six weeks after the Matt Duchene trade, Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic discussed the state of his team before Tuesday’s 5-2 loss at the Washington Capitals.